Rainer on Leadership

Pastors are often held to a “higher standard,” but not every expectation placed on them is biblical or even wise. In this episode, Josh and Sam explore which higher standards actually make sense for pastors and why. They cut through unrealistic pressures and focus on the standards that truly align with Scripture and healthy leadership. Decorum in public life, especially with social media Greater knowledge of Scripture and theology Emotional self-control and humility Financial stewardship and transparency Commitment to family and personal health Resources: Smart Church Solutions The Revitalization at Shadowbrook Church Doctor of Educational Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Upward Running FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights Church Answers Central The Hope Initiative Episode Sponsors: Looking for a better way to manage your church or school facilities? eSPACE is the leading facility management software built specifically for churches. It helps you schedule events, manage work orders, and track assets – all in one place. You can even automate things like HVAC and door access to save time and money. Trusted by over 1,250 organizations – including some of the largest churches in the country. If you’re tired of spreadsheets, sticky notes, or last-minute maintenance emergencies, it’s time to check out eSPACE. Learn more and book a personalized demo at smartchurchsolutions.com/rainer/.     Shadowbrook Church members in Suwanee, Georgia, have rediscovered their first love–serving Christ and loving others.  But during Jerrod Rumley’s first two years as pastor, he was shepherding a divided congregation.  A small number of members seemed better suited for sharing gossip than the gospel. Older and younger members had relegated the Great Commission to the church staff.  Gen-Xers were comfortable in a congregation that placed few demands upon them.  Others were busy meeting community needs–yet seldom shared the gospel. Rumley needed guidance to unify his splintered congregation.  He knew exactly where to turn. Go to SBTS.edu/Unified to read about the steps Shadowbrook’s pastor took to erase barriers and revive the church’s passion for evangelism and discipleship.  Those same steps are available to you, and it begins at SBTS.edu/Unified. The post Which “Higher Standard” Measures Actually Make Sense for Pastors appeared first on Church Answers.

Sam is joined by Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group, who are “The Church Facility Experts.” In this second episode, they discuss how the Baptist T design still affects churches decades later–often in ways leaders don’t realize. Here are five ways this design limits ministry today and what can be done to use your facility as a tool for mission, not as a monument to the past. Hospitality and connection Assimilation problems Discipleship challenges Volunteer limitations Passive culture Resources: Brown Church Development Group Church Master Planning How Your Building Shapes Your Ministry: The Baptist T – When Building Design Limits Ministry Church Answers Platinum Membership FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights The Hope Initiative Episode Sponsor: The post How Your Building Shapes Your Ministry: Five Ways the Baptist T Still Shapes (and Limits) Your Ministry appeared first on Church Answers.

Sam is joined by Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group, who are “The Church Facility Experts.” The design of your church might be shaping your culture more than you think. Building styles reflect ministry priorities–but if the building doesn’t adapt, those priorities can become limitations. In this first episode, they explore the ‘Baptist T’ (a common church layout from the 1960s to 1980s) and how it was built for a ministry model that no longer fits. The origin of the Baptist T Why it worked then Why it doesn’t work now Resources: Brown Church Development Group How Your Building Shapes Your Ministry: Five Ways the Baptist T Still Shapes (and Limits) Your Ministry Church Answers Platinum Membership FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights The Hope Initiative Episode Sponsor: The post How Your Building Shapes Your Ministry: The Baptist T – When Building Design Limits Ministry appeared first on Church Answers.

Studies on the content of sermons exist, and most indicate that pastors include some political topics in their sermons. But which topics? Ryan, Thom, and Sam reveal the answer. When asked about politics and the pulpit, few congregants say their pastors often speak about political issues. But is that really the case? Much depends on the issue. For example, Catholics and evangelicals talk more about abortion. More is said in the pulpit about poverty and racism, though evangelical pastors mention poverty less than mainline pastors. Among evangelicals, just 9% of them think that their congregation is more politically divided now compared to five years prior, while 65% didn’t see it that way. In most churches, 40-50% of people think that their clergy should avoid discussions of political division completely. Then, another 30-40% mostly think that this is a bad idea. The majority of pastors are not preaching politics regularly, and when they touch on anything that may be in the political realm, it’s about topics like racism and income inequality. Resources: Upward Running New Living Translation Church Connect Tyndale House Publishers NLT Large Print Pew Bible “Do Church Goers Want To Hear More Politics From the Pews?” by Ryan Burge Ryan Burge Church Answers Platinum Membership FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights The Hope Initiative Episode Sponsors: Upward Running for Adults: Your Church’s Next Step in Outreach Offer a 5K Challenge: Inspire your congregation and engage your community with a meaningful running ministry. Upward provides: Tailored training plans to help your runner or walkers move from the couch to completing a 5k. Access to the new RunClub app for tracking progress and building community. A fully customizable program that fits your church’s timeline — all led by your run coach who will be fully equipped with the Upward Running materials to lead. Simple to Start: With just one passionate leader and no facility needed, your church parking lot can become the starting line for life transformation. Build Stronger Connections: Use running to foster relationships, promote healthy habits, and grow spiritually while expanding your church’s impact. Upward is Here for You: Ready to bring Upward Running to your church? Visit Upward.org/Runcoach to get started today!   Pastors, when you open God’s Word to teach or preach, you need a Bible that is faithful to the original text and clear for your people to understand. That is why so many church leaders trust the New Living Translation. The NLT combines accurate scholarship with natural, understandable language, making it ideal for sermon prep, public reading, discipleship, and study. And because it is crafted to be audibly enjoyable, the NLT connects with listeners in the pews and beyond. Learn more at NewLivingTranslation.com. The post The Burge Report: Do Churchgoers Want More or Less Politics in the Pulpit? appeared first on Church Answers.

Research from Barna reveals the top two reasons pastors consider quitting are stress and loneliness. This same study demonstrated an increase in pastoral loneliness—from 42% of pastors saying they felt frequently or sometimes lonely in 2015 to 65% of pastors in 2023. The church is supposed to be a place of belonging and hope, but many church leaders experience the opposite—isolation and discouragement. Josh and Sam examine this problem and offer their solutions. The people you lead—by design—are not supposed to solve your problems. There is an expectation that pastors must always have the answers and be spiritually strong. Compassion fatigue can accumulate over months and years. You are surrounded by people, but few can relate to the most difficult aspects of ministry. Create a standing meeting with a mentor or coach in ministry. Enjoy friendship with those inside the church without placing unreasonable expectations on them. Resources: The Revitalization at Shadowbrook Church Doctor of Educational Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Smart Church Solutions Church Answers Platinum Membership FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights The Hope Initiative Episode Sponsors: Shadowbrook Church members in Suwanee, Georgia, have rediscovered their first love–serving Christ and loving others.  But during Jerrod Rumley’s first two years as pastor, he was shepherding a divided congregation.  A small number of members seemed better suited for sharing gossip than the gospel. Older and younger members had relegated the Great Commission to the church staff.  Gen-Xers were comfortable in a congregation that placed few demands upon them.  Others were busy meeting community needs–yet seldom shared the gospel. Rumley needed guidance to unify his splintered congregation.  He knew exactly where to turn. Go to SBTS.edu/Unified to read about the steps Shadowbrook’s pastor took to erase barriers and revive the church’s passion for evangelism and discipleship.  Those same steps are available to you, and it begins at SBTS.edu/Unified.   Looking for a better way to manage your church or school facilities? eSPACE is the leading facility management software built specifically for churches. It helps you schedule events, manage work orders, and track assets – all in one place. You can even automate things like HVAC and door access to save time and money. Trusted by over 1,250 organizations – including some of the largest churches in the country. If you’re tired of spreadsheets, sticky notes, or last-minute maintenance emergencies, it’s time to check out eSPACE. Learn more and book a personalized demo at smartchurchsolutions.com/rainer/. The post The Loneliness Epidemic Among Pastors appeared first on Church Answers.

Too many church leaders shy away from encouraging weekly worship. They don’t want to sound legalistic. But that hesitation is a big mistake. In just 16 years, weekly church attendance has dropped sharply. Sam and Matt McCraw discuss why weekly church attendance is the best practice for everyone. The weekly core has declined from 31% of Americans to 25% between 2008 and 2024. Those who never attend have risen from 20% to 34% during the same time period. The importance of social capital: Churches foster relationships among people who might otherwise never connect. They create networks of mutual support, encourage trust among members, and promote norms like generosity, service, and cooperation. God designed the human community for relational connection. You do not grow disciples in isolation. Parents who come monthly end up with children who come a couple of times a year. Generational “stickiness” requires the discipline of weekly attendance. Biblical knowledge increases over long periods of time via repetition. Churches are filled with largely biblically illiterate people because they do not attend enough to grow their knowledge. Resources: New Living Translation Church Connect Tyndale House Publishers Upward Sports Upward Sports: Pickleball Church Growth Services: Get your free campaign capacity analysis! Weekly Church Attendance Patterns by Generation: 2016 to 2024 Matt McCraw Church Answers Platinum Membership FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights The Hope Initiative Episode Sponsors: Pastors, when you open God’s Word to teach or preach, you need a Bible that is faithful to the original text and clear for your people to understand. That is why so many church leaders trust the New Living Translation. The NLT combines accurate scholarship with natural, understandable language, making it ideal for sermon prep, public reading, discipleship, and study. And because it is crafted to be audibly enjoyable, the NLT connects with listeners in the pews and beyond. Learn more at NewLivingTranslation.com.     The Power of Partnership. Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian youth sports organization, empowering local churches to use sports as a dynamic connection tool to engage their communities. Start Preparing Now for 2026! Looking ahead to what’s next in your ministry? Create an outreach strategy that includes a warm invite for the whole family – use sports as that invite. Whether it’s basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball, pickleball, or running for adults, Upward Sports is ready to support your church in reaching families right in the heart of your community. All you need is access to a gym or field and one passionate leader — Upward will support you with the rest. A Variety of Sports for Every Church. From basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, and baseball to running for adults — and now pickleball — Upward Sports offers flexible league options to fit your church’s unique needs. Exciting News: Did you hear? Pickleball is the newest offering – Claim your TWO free net sets, while supplies last! Launched in April, pickleball is perfect for middle and high schoolers — easy to learn, quick to set up, and highly engaging. Whether you prefer a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to guide you. Plus, to help you get started, Upward is offering two free Pickleball Net Sets when you create your league. But act fast — only 200 sets are available! Schedule your call today and build a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community. Learn more at www.Upward.org/Pickleball where you can access an equipment list, court dimensions, and more. Be the Neighborhood Church. Want to create a welcoming space for families? Upward Sports provides a first-class, well-organized, and fun league experience. As a self-sustaining ministry, any church — big or small — can get started. Customize your outreach ministry today. Learn more at www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers. The post The Non-Legalist Reasons for Weekly Church Attendance appeared first on Church Answers.

Scripture gives clear qualifications for the characteristics of pastors. But who in the church should hold pastors accountable to these qualifications? Josh and Sam dive into the best practices for pastoral accountability. Every pastor needs accountability from within the body. Outside governance is ill-advised and dangerous. Do not conflate authority with accountability. You can have authority over a group of people and also be accountable to them. Some denominations have a hierarchical structure that facilitates accountability. Congregational churches need more clarity on accountability. What about deacons? They help with spiritual accountability. What about a personnel committee? This group often helps with HR issues. What about elders? Often, they guard the church’s doctrine. Resources: Smart Church Solutions The Revitalization at Shadowbrook Church Doctor of Educational Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights Church Answers Central The Hope Initiative Episode Sponsors: Looking for a better way to manage your church or school facilities? eSPACE is the leading facility management software built specifically for churches. It helps you schedule events, manage work orders, and track assets – all in one place. You can even automate things like HVAC and door access to save time and money. Trusted by over 1,250 organizations – including some of the largest churches in the country. If you’re tired of spreadsheets, sticky notes, or last-minute maintenance emergencies, it’s time to check out eSPACE. Learn more and book a personalized demo at smartchurchsolutions.com/rainer/.     Shadowbrook Church members in Suwanee, Georgia, have rediscovered their first love–serving Christ and loving others.  But during Jerrod Rumley’s first two years as pastor, he was shepherding a divided congregation.  A small number of members seemed better suited for sharing gossip than the gospel. Older and younger members had relegated the Great Commission to the church staff.  Gen-Xers were comfortable in a congregation that placed few demands upon them.  Others were busy meeting community needs–yet seldom shared the gospel. Rumley needed guidance to unify his splintered congregation.  He knew exactly where to turn. Go to SBTS.edu/Unified to read about the steps Shadowbrook’s pastor took to erase barriers and revive the church’s passion for evangelism and discipleship.  Those same steps are available to you, and it begins at SBTS.edu/Unified. The post Who in the Church Should Hold Pastors Accountable? appeared first on Church Answers.

Matt McCraw, a savvy analyst of church dynamics, dives into the changing landscape of weekly church attendance from 2016 to 2024 across generations. He reveals that while Boomers are holding steady, younger generations like Gen X, Millennials, and especially Gen Z are experiencing notable declines. The discussion delves into the implications for church leadership, highlighting the urgent need for effective outreach strategies and authentic community connections tailored to each generation's unique needs.

On this episode, Sam and Josh unpack a landmark development for churches: the Internal Revenue Service’s shift on the 1954 Johnson Amendment. In a joint court filing with two Texas churches and the National Religious Broadcasters, the IRS now affirms that clergy can endorse political candidates from the pulpit without risking their tax-exempt status. The IRS reframes such endorsements as comparable to a “private family discussion” within the congregation during worship—with statements made via usual church communication channels not qualifying as political intervention. In practice, enforcement has been mild but still possible. Advocates: It’s the right legal decision due to the First Amendment. Critics: The decision threatens campaign finance integrity, potentially opening the door to partisan entanglements and “dark money” funneled through churches. Practical implications for pastoral speech and endorsements. Possible influence on voter outreach and church communications. Church governance and policies: It’s now up to the churches to decide the level of endorsements allowed. Implications for 2026 elections: Hardly any pastors are mentioning politicians by name in their pulpits, so the most likely outcome is that nothing changes. Ryan Burge: “How often does the clergy at your church talk about Donald Trump?” Never or rarely: 92%. Sometimes: 7%. Often 1%. More stats from Dr. Burge in an upcoming episode this month. Resources: The Revitalization at Shadowbrook Church Doctor of Educational Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Smart Church Solutions Ryan Burge FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights Church Answers Central The Hope Initiative Episode Sponsors: Shadowbrook Church members in Suwanee, Georgia, have rediscovered their first love–serving Christ and loving others.  But during Jerrod Rumley’s first two years as pastor, he was shepherding a divided congregation.  A small number of members seemed better suited for sharing gossip than the gospel. Older and younger members had relegated the Great Commission to the church staff.  Gen-Xers were comfortable in a congregation that placed few demands upon them.  Others were busy meeting community needs–yet seldom shared the gospel. Rumley needed guidance to unify his splintered congregation.  He knew exactly where to turn. Go to SBTS.edu/Unified to read about the steps Shadowbrook’s pastor took to erase barriers and revive the church’s passion for evangelism and discipleship.  Those same steps are available to you, and it begins at SBTS.edu/Unified.   Looking for a better way to manage your church or school facilities? eSPACE is the leading facility management software built specifically for churches. It helps you schedule events, manage work orders, and track assets – all in one place. You can even automate things like HVAC and door access to save time and money. Trusted by over 1,250 organizations – including some of the largest churches in the country. If you’re tired of spreadsheets, sticky notes, or last-minute maintenance emergencies, it’s time to check out eSPACE. Learn more and book a personalized demo at smartchurchsolutions.com/rainer/. The post The Johnson Amendment Reversal: Endorsing Political Candidates from the Pulpit appeared first on Church Answers.

Sam welcomes Dan Block to the Rainer on Leadership podcast. Dan is a Senior Translator for the New Living Translation. They discuss why the New Living Translation is the best choice for those seeking a Bible that is accurate, understandable, and audibly enjoyable. What is the process for translating Scripture? What makes the NLT accurate? How do you handle linguistic nuances or cultural concepts that don’t directly translate into modern English? What makes the NLT understandable? How does the auditory experience of the NLT influence its translation? What is a meaning-for-meaning translation? Resources: New Living Translation Church Connect Tyndale House Publishers Upward Sports Upward Sports: Pickleball Church Answers Platinum Membership FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights The Hope Initiative Episode Sponsors: Pastors, when you open God’s Word to teach or preach, you need a Bible that is faithful to the original text and clear for your people to understand. That is why so many church leaders trust the New Living Translation. The NLT combines accurate scholarship with natural, understandable language, making it ideal for sermon prep, public reading, discipleship, and study. And because it is crafted to be audibly enjoyable, the NLT connects with listeners in the pews and beyond. Learn more at NewLivingTranslation.com.     The Power of Partnership. Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian youth sports organization, empowering local churches to use sports as a dynamic connection tool to engage their communities. Start Preparing Now for 2026! Looking ahead to what’s next in your ministry? Create an outreach strategy that includes a warm invite for the whole family – use sports as that invite. Whether it’s basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball, pickleball, or running for adults, Upward Sports is ready to support your church in reaching families right in the heart of your community. All you need is access to a gym or field and one passionate leader — Upward will support you with the rest. A Variety of Sports for Every Church. From basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, and baseball to running for adults — and now pickleball — Upward Sports offers flexible league options to fit your church’s unique needs. Exciting News: Did you hear? Pickleball is the newest offering – Claim your TWO free net sets, while supplies last! Launched in April, pickleball is perfect for middle and high schoolers — easy to learn, quick to set up, and highly engaging. Whether you prefer a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to guide you. Plus, to help you get started, Upward is offering two free Pickleball Net Sets when you create your league. But act fast — only 200 sets are available! Schedule your call today and build a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community. Learn more at www.Upward.org/Pickleball where you can access an equipment list, court dimensions, and more. Be the Neighborhood Church. Want to create a welcoming space for families? Upward Sports provides a first-class, well-organized, and fun league experience. As a self-sustaining ministry, any church — big or small — can get started. Customize your outreach ministry today. Learn more at www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers. The post Why the NLT Might Be the Best Bible You’ve Never Considered appeared first on Church Answers.